Comprehensive Diagnostic Services: Advanced Testing for Accurate Pet Care
At Wickham Animal Hospital and Boarding in Melbourne, Florida, our state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities enable veterinarians to quickly and precisely identify health conditions. This leads to a better treatment outcome for your pet.
Modern veterinary diagnostics have evolved significantly over the past decade. In today’s world, imaging technology and laboratory equipment provide detailed insight into your pet’s internal health that was not possible a few years ago. Understanding these diagnostic tools can help pet owners make informed decisions about their animal’s care.
In-House Lab Testing: Immediate Results When Time Matters
Our in-house laboratory provides same-day results, eliminating long waits for outside lab reports.
- CBC (Complete Blood Count): Detects anemia, infections, clotting disorders, and immune concerns
- Blood Chemistry Panels: Assess kidney, liver, and metabolic function; detect diabetes and other organ issues early.
- Urinalysis: Identifies urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney disease, and diabetes.
- Fecal Exams: Reveal intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Giardia – some of which can affect humans.
Immediate results allow our veterinarians to answer your questions in real time and begin treatment without delay. Therefore, we are able to share results with specialists when needed.
Digital Radiology and X-Ray Technology Melbourne FL
We use advanced digital X-ray technology to safely and quickly evaluate your pet’s bones, joints, chest, and abdomen. Digital radiographs produce clear images in seconds, making it easier to detect fractures, arthritis, tumors, or internal issues.
Benefits of Digital X-Rays for Pets
- Orthopedic care: Detect fractures, arthritis, hip dysplasia, and bone tumors
- Chest Imaging: Evaluate heart size, lung health, and identify pneumonia, fluid buildup, or tumors.
- Abdominal scans: Spot swallowed foreign objects, bladder stones, or intestinal blockages.
- Dental radiographs: Reveal hidden issues like tooth root abscesses, bone loss, or retained fragments.
Safe & Effective - Digital X-rays use minimal radiation, with short exposure times and strict safety protocols to protect pets and staff.
- Advanced Ultrasound & Echocardiography at Wickham Animal Hospital
At Wickham Animal Hospital and Bording in Melbourne, Florida, we provide state-of-the-art ultrasound imaging to give pet owners clear answers about their animal’s health. While X-rays are excellent for evaluating bones, ultrasound excels at visualizing soft tissues and internal organs. This non-invasive technology uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images without radiation exposure or discomfort, making it safe and effective for dogs and cats.
Ultrasound Imaging: Detailed Internal Evaluation
Abdominal ultrasound allows our veterinarians to examine the liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, stomach, intestines, pancreas, lymph nodes, and reproductive organs with precision. We can detect abnormalities such as masses, cysts, clots, or organ enlargement. Doppler ultrasound adds another layer of detail by evaluating blood flow, helping distinguish solid tumors from fluid-filled structures and guiding procedures like biopsies or fluid aspiration with accuracy and minimal risk.
The ultrasound is also invaluable for pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring, confirming pregnancy, counting fetuses, and assessing fetal health and viability. This technology provides more accurate gestational age estimates than other methods, ensuring better care for expectant pets.
Echocardiography: Specialized Heart Imaging
For pets with suspected heart disease in Vero Beach, Florida, we offer echocardiography. This is a specialized ultrasound focused on the heart. This advanced diagnostic tool evaluates heart chambers, valves, major vessels, and pericardium. Doppler echocardiography measures blood flow velocity and direction, revealing valve regurgitation, narrowing (stenosis), or abnormal shunting between chambers.
Conditions commonly diagnosed include dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral valve disease, congenital heart defects, pericardial effusion, and cardiac tumors. Echocardiography is often recommended when heart murmurs are detected or when pets show symptoms such as coughing, fainting, or exercise intolerance. The procedure is non-invasive and typically requires only mild sedation to keep pets comfortable.
Diagnostic Process & Clinical Decision-Making
At Wickham Animal Hospital and Boarding, our veterinarians select diagnostic tests based on each pet’s symptoms and physical exam findings. Routine evaluations may begin with bloodwork, followed by imaging studies like X-rays or ultrasound. Echocardiography is reserved for cases where cardiac disease is suspected or needs to be ruled out.
Interpreting Results & Planning Treatment
Diagnostic results are only part of the picture. Our veterinary team interprets findings in the context of your pet’s age, breed, medical history, and clinical signs. Not every abnormality requires treatment, but when a disease is identified, we explain results clearly, discuss treatment options, and outline prognosis. With comprehensive diagnostic capabilities available in-house, Wickham Animal Hospital delivers faster answers, efficient care, and better outcomes for pets.